By: Warren Ellis, Colleen Doran Publisher: Vertigo Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 104 Publication Date: June 01, 2003 Release Date: June 01, 2003 Studio: Vertigo
Product Description: In this science fiction mystery tale, Venture, a space shuttle that disappeared ten years ago with its crew of seven, miraculously returns from outer space without warning or explanation. Occupied by only an insane pilot, the spacecraft shows evidence of a remarkable journey through the solar systems. Now, in order to solve the mystery of the shuttle's inexplicable journey and the fate of its six lost astronauts, three NASA specialists are called upon to investigate the alien instrumentation and materials that adorn Venture. But as secrets are revealed, it soon becomes apparent that the shuttle's journey not only took it outside our solar system but to a realm of existence that is unimaginable. Suggested for Mature Readers.
Grand Dreams, Little Story ^ This is a book about dreams, ideas and high concepts. Too bad it's not about story and characters.
The premise is a great one, and along with the absolutly fantastic cover art it hooked me on the book instantly: 10 years after it vanished from orbit, the Space Shuttle Venture returns to Earth in a firey crash. All but 1 of the crew are missing, the ship is covered in strange material, and it shows signs of having landed on Mars.
Done. I'm there.
Except that's about it. The rest of the story is a gathering of scientists who all had their dreams crushed when the manned space program was cancelled after the disapperance of the shuttle 10 years prior. They interview the remaining crew member, disect the strange technology of the shuttle, and try to piece together where it was for the past 10 years.
Most of the book plays out like a NASA CSI episode, with crew members finding strange readings, relating it to theoretical physics, and then finding some other strange reading.
There are some early signs of conflict with the military, but the scientists just brush them aside when the plot requires it. Most of the second half is narrated exposition, explanining where the shuttle went & how, and then the book ends with a moment that is supposed to be inspiring, but plays out poorly as it felt rushed and inconsequential.
The art is great when it is depicting decrepit buildings, outer space vistas and odd technology. Not so much with the people. The characters have expressions that are exaggerated almost to the point of cartoonish proportions. Dave Stewart's colors are really the star of the book, bringing a life to the art that is stunning in every scene.
There are so many great ideas, and great moments in this book, I just wish it was better. But in the end it really plays out like a kind of "thinking out loud" about space exploration.
Inspiring and imaginative ^ A great quick read, inspiring. You can really feel Ellis's love of space flight coming right through the pages. Should be a must read for any geek.
Don't bother ^ I think my main problem with this one is that it SOUNDS like such a good premise but the more you read it the more you just want to stop because it doesn't get better as you keep reading. It doesn't HOOK you the way a comic is supposed to. In fact the more I read it, the more I was repulsed and wanting to toss it aside. The characters are boring and unlikeable, and that...I don't even remember the name, but one of the characters (I think it's the biologist) just looks like a brown lumpy man with tree disease (is this how she's supposed to look?), and the guy is super annoying and looks like a dumb hyper anime character with his increasingly ridiculous poses and disproportionate body. Weak and cliche character development attempts. Try Transmetropolitan instead
Enthusiam ^ The best thing about Orbiter is Warren Ellis' impassioned forward. I have doubts about the space program, myself. I believe in pure science and exploration, but I can't help but wonder what we might be able to do with that money on the earth's surface, when so many people are so impoverished. Still, Ellis' arguments catch my imagination, and I hope we can afford both.
The story itself... well, it's a lesser work. Hard-SF speculation about gravity drives and relativity isn't my cup of tea, though Doran and Stewart do an admirable job of infusing the panels with inspiration and momentum. I feel like the living-spaceship concept has been done too many times for the extended treatment of it here. There wasn't much of a plot or a resolution. As always, Ellis gives us some lovely moments and some great lines, but it didn't add up this time. Stunning cover.
A strange book ^ I got this book for a modern literature course, and it's a surprisingly good read. I don't usually take an interest in comic books (graphic novels?) but this was surprising deep. If you feel very strongly about the direction NASA seems to be going these days, you have to read this.
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